The district of Chattarpur is bordered by the districts of Panna, Damoh, Tikamgarh and Sagar. The district is also bordered by the state of Uttar Pradesh in some parts. The main administrative centre of the district is the city of Chhatarpur. Before the Indian Independence, the district was a part of the princely states that embodied various parts of India. After the British rule, the princely state was added as a part of Madhya Pradesh. The city of Chhatarpur was also the capital of Madhya Pradesh before the capital was shifted to Bhopal. The district covers a land area of around about 8687 sq km with a population of 17.6 lacs. The density of population of the district is approximately around 203 people per sq km. The district is one of the 24 districts of Madhya Pradesh which are listed as the most backward districts of India. The district depends on the funds that they get from the Government of India.